Ex-Guinea Army chief charged with drugs

CONAKRY, Guinea, June 13 (UPI) -- Gen. Diarra Camara, former head of the Guinea Army, his son and other former officers have been charged with drug trafficking, officials said.

Camara and 19 other defendants are expected to appear in court during the next few days, the BBC reported Saturday. The group includes eight Nigerians and Israeli and Ghanaian nationals.

Guinea in West Africa has been ruled by a military junta headed by Moussa Dadis Camara since the death late last year of the longtime president, Lansana Conte.

Ousmane Conte, the former president's son, confessed in a television appearance in February to being involved in drug trafficking.

Charged with Diarra Camara were his son, Lt. Amara Camara; Aly Daffe, former head of the Marine Corps; and Mohamed Camara, who was Marine chief until his arrest.

West Africa has become a center for transshipment of illegal drugs, including South American cocaine, the BBC said.